First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
vulture
noun vul·ture \ˈvəl-chər\
: any one of several large birds that eat dead animals and have a small and featherless head
: a person who tries to take advantage of someone who is in a very bad situation
Full Definition of VULTURE
1
: any of various large birds (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae) that are related to the hawks, eagles, and falcons but have weaker claws and the head usually naked and that subsist chiefly or entirely on carrion
2
: a rapacious or predatory person
— vul·tur·ish \-chə-rish\ adjective
See vulture defined for English-language learners
See vulture defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of VULTURE
Middle English vultur, from Anglo-French, from Latin
Related to VULTURE
VULTURISH Defined for Kids
vulture
noun vul·ture \ˈvəl-chər\
Definition of VULTURE for Kids
: a large bird related to the hawks and eagles that has a head bare of feathers and feeds mostly on dead animals
Learn More About VULTURE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: vulture hockPrevious Word in the Dictionary: VulturAll Words Near: vulture
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up vulture? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).